Raakh (1989)
A raw and uncompromising Hindi vigilante thriller that launched Aamir Khan's award-winning career and redefined gritty Indian cinema.
Raakh - Movie Information
- Original Title: राख
- Release Year: 1989
- Directed by: Aditya Bhattacharya
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 2h 33m
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 17, 1989 (India)
- Production Companies: Emotion Picture Company, Saritha Films, Second Image Enterprise
- Production Countries: India
Raakh - Plot
After witnessing the public humiliation & abuse of a female friend, a young man vows to avenge her by going after the hoodlums responsible. He is guided by a burnt out, cynical cop, who shows him the ropes as well as the realities of vigilante life.
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Raakh - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Aditya Bhattacharya
Main Cast
- Aamir Khan
- Supriya Pathak
- Pankaj Kapur
- Jagdeep
- Naina Balsaver
- Ahmed Khan
- Nikhat Khan
- Achyut Potdar
- Santosh Sivan
- Madhukar Toradmal
Writers
- Aditya Bhattacharya
Raakh - FAQs
Where can you watch Raakh online?
Raakh (1989) is available to stream on select platforms. You can check current streaming availability, rental, and purchase options in your region by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates all viewing options for the film in one place.
Is Raakh based on a true story?
Raakh is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay written by director Aditya Bhattacharya. However, the film draws on very real social issues — street crime, institutional apathy, and the impulse toward vigilante justice — that were prevalent in urban India during the late 1980s.
Who are the main actors in Raakh?
Raakh stars Aamir Khan as Amir Hussein, Supriya Pathak as Nita, and Pankaj Kapur as the cynical Inspector P.K. The supporting cast includes Jagdeep, Naina Balsaver, Achyut Potdar, and Madhukar Toradmal as Karmali Seth.
What is Raakh about?
Raakh follows a young man who witnesses the brutal public humiliation of a female friend and vows to hunt down those responsible. Mentored by a burnt-out, morally conflicted cop, he navigates the dangerous and disillusioning world of street justice in urban India.
Did Raakh win any awards?
Raakh earned significant recognition at the 1990 Filmfare Awards, where Aamir Khan won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. The film was also notable for being one of the earliest directorial efforts to bring a raw, neo-noir sensibility to mainstream Hindi cinema.
Who directed Raakh and who wrote the screenplay?
Raakh was both directed and written by Aditya Bhattacharya, making it a deeply personal debut feature. Bhattacharya crafted the film as a gritty, character-driven vigilante story, and it remains one of the most distinctive directorial debuts in 1980s Hindi cinema.
How long is the film Raakh?
Raakh has a runtime of 153 minutes, or approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes. The film uses its extended length to develop its characters and atmosphere, giving the story room to explore the psychological toll of vigilantism and moral compromise.
What makes Raakh significant in Aamir Khan's career?
Raakh holds a special place in Aamir Khan's filmography as the role that earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Released in 1989, the film showcased a more intense, brooding side of Khan that contrasted sharply with his romantic roles at the time, hinting at his future range.
More About Raakh
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